Optical indicator



Jan. 1o, 1939. K. J. DE JUHAsz 2,143,0M

OPTICAL INDICATOR Filed Oct. '7, 1936 2 Sheeilzs--Sl-leefrI l Fig. (Peo/,e 4er) l/h ven/or v j WM gf @23M Jan. 10, 9. K. J. DE JUHAsz OPTICAL iNDIcAToR Filed 0G13. 7, 1936 2 sheets-sheet 2 n ven/0r- YFMMQUJM 994W Patented Jan. 10, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

This invention relates to indicators for magnifying small motions by optical means.

Indicators of the optical type have been made heretofore in which a bean of light has been made to impinge upon a mirror which is subjectl to two angular displacements about mutually perpendicular axes. One of these displacements is intended to be proportional to an independent variable such as the crank angle or piston stroke of an engine, while the other angular displacement is intended to be proportional to a dependent variable, such as pressure, valve position or the like. The dependent variable or motion to'be studied, is thus indicated as a function of the independent variable. The beam from the mirror is thon received on a screen or directed onto a sensitive film or paper t-o obtain the indicator diagram. The difficulty with the ldevices of the prior art lies in the fact that the scale of the resultant indicator diagram varies and, before the true conditions can be ascertained, the diagram must be replotted on a uniform scale.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a small,I compact and self-contained optical indicator which is simple in construction yet eiiicient and accurate in operation. Another object is to provide an optical indicator in which the light beam moves so as to make the diagram on a uniform scale and thus approach an accurate proportionality of the records of the `two variables. A further object is to provide an optical indicator in which the magnification is variable at will. A still further object is to provide `an optical indicator in which the parts may be readily adjusted as to focus and magnification. These and other objects and advantages reside in certain novel features' of construction, arrangement and combination of parts as will hereinafter be more fully set forth and pointed out in the appended claims.

.Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic View showing the arrangement of parts in the prior art.

Fig. 2 is a view of the diagram field of such an indicator showing the variable scale.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view showing the arrangement of parts according to this invention.

Fig. 41s a view of the diagram eld of the present indicator showing the uniform scale.l

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view showing one embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 6 is a section taken on line VI-VI of Fig` 5.

Fig. V7 is a section taken-on line VII--VII of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary longitudinal section taken perpendicularly to that of Fig. 5 and showing the lens focusing mechanism.

Figs. 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 are detail views of modifications showing different types of reflector mounts.

In theprior art devices, as illustrated in Fig. l, the direction of the light beam from the light source L is at approximately a right angle to the two perpendicular rotational axes a-a and b-b of the mirror M when the mirror is in its median position. Whenever the mirror M is displaced from this median position, the orientation of the stationary beam with reference to the mirror will be altered. In Fig. l, displacement about the axis a-a is made proportional to the independent variable and displacement about the axis b-.b, to the dependent variable. The angles a and thus indicate values of the independent ,and dependentv variables, respectively. The point'N is the intersection of the perpendicular from the mirror M with thescreen S- and the beam reflected from .the mirror will intersect the screen S at a point P lying in the plane LMN. The angle y is the angle of incidence. For evey pair of values of a and a corresponding point P can be determined by geometrical construction. The field of diagram of this device is given in Fig. 2 for a set of values on thedeveloped cylinder. It is seen that the recorded lines corresponding to a constant value of theindependent variable are curved, instead of straight as they are intended to be. The lines corresponding to constant values of the dependent variable are also curved, instead of being straight. Thus it follows that .the scale of the diagram varies, in each point of the dlagram for both the independent and dependent variables.

In order to mitigate the error resulting from this source in the optical indicators of the prior art, it was necessary to restrict the angular displacement of the mirror about both axes to only a few degrees. This inturn made it necessary to place the screen at a considerable distance from the mirror in order to obtain a sufficiently large magnication and the instrument resulting from this arrangement was thusl of large and cumbersome dimensions.

In the present invention the aforementioned error source is obviated by directing the incident beam parallel to, or coincident with, the rotational axis for one of the variables, preferably that for the independent variable. This arrangement is shown in Fig. 3 in which the source of light L is located on the a-a axis. The incident light beam will be the same for all values of the independent variable a. For this reason a large angular displacement or even a complete rotation of the mirror system can be utilized for the independent variable, resulting in a corresponding decrease in the necessary dimensions of the instrument. In virtue of this geometrical arrangement both the lines of constanty independent variable and those of the dependent variable, will be straight lines perpendicular to one another, forming an orthogonal system of coordinates which Y obviates the necessityof re-drawing the record obtained. The field of diagram is shown in Fig. 4

for a, number `of a and p values.

vThe above-described basic idea is incorporated in some designs shown in Figs. 5-13. It is, however, to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which my invention consists may be otherwise arranged and organized and that my inventioniis not limited to theprecise forms as they are shown and described here.

One form of optical indicator embodying this invention is illustrated in Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8 wherein 2|! designates a barrel which is rotatable about the longitudinal axis a-a. The barrel 2|) is provided with a central axial opening 2| within which is mounted a lamp bulb 22 of the type known commercially as a flashlight bulb. Current is supplied to' the bulb 22 by means of an insulated ring 23 and a brush, not shown, in a manner well known to those skilled in 'the art. Four screws 24 extend radially throughthe barrel 20 into the opening 2| to hold the lamp bulb- 22 and these screws 24 may be adjusted in order to align th'iilament ofthe bulb 22 with the axis of rotation a--a.` A diaphragm p1ate421 restricts the utilized light rays to those in the neighborhood of the axis.

A' ien-s een 25 is sudamy mounted in th @pebying 2| beneath the lamp bulb 22 and carries a condensing lens or lens-system 26. As shown in Fig. 8, a' focusing mechanism is provided for adjusting the`cell'25 longitudinally inthe opening 2| and for locking the cell in adjusted position. v The lens cell 25. is provided on one side with a threaded half-hole 28 and the wall of the barrel 26 is provided with a smooth half-hole 29 '55 of the salme diameter and terminating with a Vshoulder 30. VA screw 3| extending into the two half-holes in engagement with the threads in the half-hole 28, bears against the shoulder 36 and. when rotated, tends to move the lens cell 25 out of the opening 2|. On the other side of the lens cell 25 is a smooth Ahalf-hole 32 terminating with a shoulder 33` and a threaded half-hole 34 of the same diameter, is formed in the wall of the barrel A2|). A screw 35 extending into the two half- 63 holes 32 and 34 in engagement with the threads in the half-hole 34 bears against the shoulder 33 so that rotation of the screw 35-tends to move the cell 25 into the opening 2| Secured at the bottom of the barrel 20 is a o flexible diaphragm 36 upon which is mounted a connecting pin 46. The leaf spring 31 carries at its end a mirror 38 which is inclined at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to theoptical axis. The upper side of the leaf-spring 31 bears u against the fulcrum 39 which is transversely -ad- -justable for a purpose to be hereinafter described. The fulcrum 39 is 'preferablyprovided with thesame type of adjusting mechanism as the lens cell 25, and has similar smooth halfholes 4|)V and 4|, threaded'half-holesl 42 and 43 and screws 44 and 45. The connecting pin 46 mounted on the diaphragm 36 bears vagainst the bottom of the mirror 38 so that any movement of the diaphragm 36 is transmitted'to-the mirror 38 and tends to move it about the fulcrum 39.

Afterbeing reflected fromthe mirror; 38, the light beam passes through a shutter 41 onto a screen or sensitive surface 48. 'Ihe size of the luminous spot can be controlled by the shutter 41 which is a cylinder provided with two diametrically opposed slots 49 and 58. The shutter 41 is rotatably mounted in the barrel 20 and has at its lupper end a projecting pin,Y 5i. Two opposed screws. 52 and 53 threaded in the barrel 20 engage the pin 5| and serve both to adjust the shutter 31 and to lock it in adjusted position.

In operation, the lamp bulb 22'is adjusted by means of the screws 24 until its filament is positioned on the axis of rotation a-a, the lens cell 25 is moved until a spot of maximum intensity is formed, and the shutter 41 is adjusted until the light spot on the screen or surface 48 attains the desired size'. lf, for example, the vibration of an engine is to be studied and that vibration is a function of the crank shaft angle, the barrel 2li has to berotated at crankshaft speed and the vibration to be studied is imparted to the diaphragm 36 and transmitted to the mirror 38 by the connecting pin d6. The path of the spot of light gives the vibration as a function of the crankshaft angle and this path may be traced on a translucent surface or photographed on a sensitive sheet.u The amplitude ofthe oscillations of the mirror 38 is directly proportional to the amplitude of the 4rectilinear vmovement imparted to the diaphragm 36 and vinversely proportional to the length of the mirror arm, that is, the disand therefore the magnification ratiocan be Lvaried by moving the fulcrum 39.

- .tance between the fulcrum as and the pm 4s provided by giving it a U shape. The structure and its 'function is otherwise similar to that shown in Figs. 5 to 8.

In the embodiment shown in'rigs. 1'0 and v11,`

quency of vibration, can be altered and adjusted to suit the particular motion to be studied. t

Fig. 12 illustrates a biillar mirror suspension in place of the fiat spring of the precedingembodiments. In this modification, the mirror 6| is mounted upon a plate 62 which is supported by two wire loops 63 and 64 stretchedA between the tension blocks ss and se. The tension blocks 65 and 66l are.mounted upon two adjustable `slides 61 and 68,'respectively, so that the tension of the wireloops 63 and 64 maybe adjusted at will. The adjusting mechanism for 'the slides61 and 68 can be similar to that of the lens cell as half-holes 69 and 10, the threaded half-hole 1| and the screw 12. The knife-edge fulcrum 13 is preferably bifurcated and engages the plate 62 on opposite sides of the mirror 6|, providing a safeguard against lateral displacement of the mirror.

. In the modification shown in Fig. 13, two mirrors 14 and 15 are rigidly secured on or formed integrally with a single leaf spring 16. The fulcrum member has two legs 11 and 18 which engage the spring 16 on opposite sides of the connecting pin 19 and an aperture 60 in the fulcrum member permits the passage of light from the mirror 14 to the mirror 15. A prism Bl receives the light from the light source through the condenser lens 26 and directs it to the mirror 14 while a second prism 82 receives the light from the mirror 15 and directs it to the screen or sensitive surface. When the pin 19 is moved, both mirrors 14 and 15 are deflected by the same amount and the sum of these two deflections is manifested by the displacement of the light spot on the screen. This modification presents the advantages of being more sensitive due to the double deflection ofthe light spot and also of being free of any error due to centrifugal force,

as the mirror assembly can vbe made perfectly symmetrical and balanced.

The proper elastic suspension of the'mirror is essential to the accurate functioning of the indicator. The suspension must be stiff enough to give a high natural frequency of vibrationv to the mirror, yet yielding enough to permit a suflicient amount of angular displacement. the suspension must hold the mirror rigidly against any sidewise or other unintended displacement. The above described modifications possess these advantages but, of course, other satisfactory suspensions could be devised by those skilled in the art.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that I am able to attain the objects of my invention and provide an optical indicator which is simple in construction yet accurate. and efficient in operation. While I have described the mechanism embodying this invention as a self-contained unit, obviously the light source and condensing system could be independently and rig-l idly mounted and the mirror system alone rotated. This latter system would permit the use of larger and more powerful light sources and the size of the rotating barrel could be materially reduced. The apparatus disclosed shows only the preferred form. Various other modifications can also be made without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. An optical indicator for indicating the relation of two variables comprising a body supported rotatably about a fixed axis'of rotation, means for rotating said body about said fixed axis by an angle responsive to one of said two variables, means for producing a light beam and directing it along said axis of rotation, a mirror supported in said body and partaking in the r0- tation of said body intercepting said light beam and deiiecting it in a meridional plane of said body, mirror-supporting means mounted in said body and partaking in its rotation allowing said mirror to be tilted about a tilt-axis perpendicular to said meridional plane, means for tilting saidmirror about said tilt-axis by an angle responsive to the other of said two variables, a screen intercepting said deected light beam Furthermore,

whereon a line representing the motion of said mirror tilting means as a function of said body rotating means is traced.

2. An optical indicator for indicating the relation of two variables comprising a body supported rotatably about a fixed axis of rotation, means for rotating said b'ody about said xed axis by an angle responsivev to one of said two variables, a lightsource mounted in said body and partaking in the rotation of said body, means for producing a light beam and directing it along said axis of rotation, a mirror supported in said body and partaking in the rotation of said body intercepting saidlight beam and deiiecting it in a meridional plane of said body, mirror-supporting means mounted in said body and partaking in its rotation allowing said mirror to be tilted about a .tilt-axis perpendicular to said meridional plane, means for tilting said mirror about said tilt-axis by an angle responsive to the other of said two variables, a screen intercepting said deflected light beam whereon a line representing the motion of said mirror-tilting means as a function of said body rotating means is traced.

3. An optical indicator for indicating the relation of two variables comprising a body supported rotatably about a xed axis of rotation,

means for rotating said body about said fixed axis by an angle responsive to one of said two variables, means for producing a light beam and directing it along said axis of rotation, a mirror supported in saidvbody and partaking in the rotation of said body intercepting said light beam and deiiecting it in a meridional plane of said body, mirror-supporting means mounted in said body and partaking in the rotation of said body allowing said mirror to be tilted about a tilt-axis perpendicular to said meridional plane, means for adjusting the distance of said tiltaxis from said axis of rotation of said body, means for tilting said mirror about said tiltaxis by an angle responsive to the other of said two variables, a screen intercepting said deflected light beam whereon a line representing the 'motion of said mirror-tilting means as afunction of said body-rotating means is traced.

4. An optical indicator for indicating the relation of two variables comprising a body supported rotatably about a fixed axis of rotation, means for rotating said body about said fixed axis by an angle responsive to one of said .two variables, means for producing a light beam and directing it along said axis of rotation, a mirror supported in said body and partakingin the rotation of said body intercepting said light beam and deiiecting it in a meridional plane of said body, mirror-supporting means mounted in said body and partaking in its rotation allowing said mirrorto be tilted about a tilt-axis perpendicular to said meridional plane, means for vtilting said mirror about said tilt-axis by an angle responsive to the other of said two variables, a screen intercepting the said deflected light beam whereon a line representing the motion of said mirror-tilting means as a function of said body rotating means is traced, optical means for bringing said light beam to a focus on said screen.

5. An optical indicator for indicating the relation of two variables comprising a body supported rotatably about a xed axis of rotation, means for rotating said body about said xed axis by an angle responsive to one of said two variables, means for producing la light beam and directing 1t along said axis of rotatioma mirror supported in said body and partaking in the rotation of said body interceptlng said light beam and deiiecting itin a meridional plane of said body, mirrorsupporting means mounted in said body and partaking in its rotation allowing said mirror to be tiltedA about a tilt-axis perpendicular to said meridional plane, means for .tilting said mirror about said tilt-axisby an angle responsive to the other of said two variables, a screen intercepting said deilected light beam whereon a line representing the motion of said mirror-tilting 20 lens cell and a not threaded half hole of the same diameter in the adjacent wall of said axial bore, said 'not threadedhalf hole being formed with a bottom, a screwv ailing said naif holes and 'engaging said threads and said bottom for the purpose of moving the lens cell inv one direction with reference to 4said axial bore, a not threaded half lhole formed'in the other side of said lens .-cell, saidnot threaded halt hole being formed with s bottom. o 4threaded naif hole of the same diameteras the not threaded half hole formed in theadjacent wall lof' said axial bore and-a second screw -filling the lastnamedy halt holes `and engaging -said vthreads and said bottom for the -purposeof moving said lens cellin the other direction with reference to said axial bore and .A thus by tightening both said screws vto lock the A `said lens cell in the desired location with` referyence to said axial bore.

c. an option indicator for indicating the reiaf A- tion of two variables comprising a body supported rotatably about a. xed axis of rotation, means for rotatingsaid body about said fixed axis by an angle responsive to one of said two variables,

f means Vfor producing a light beam and direct- Y ing it along said axis of rotation, a mirror supported in vsaid body and partaking in the rotation o fsaid body intercepting said light beam and de fiecting it in a. meridionalplane of said body, mirror-supporting meansmounted in said.

body'and partaking in its rotation allowing said mirror to be tilted about a tilt-axis perpendicular to said meridional plane, said mirror-supporting 4means consisting of a leaf spring positioned radially in said body and fastened. at its outer end to said body and carrying at' its central end the i'nirroi', afulcrum edge located in said body perpendicular to said meridional plane andbearing againstsaid leaf spring, means for tilting said mirror about said tilt-axis -against the bending -60 .moment of .said leaf springby an angle respon-- sive tothe other of said two variables. a screen intercepting said deflected light beam whereona fri assenti line representing the motion of said or-tilting means .as afunction oi said body-rotating means is traced.

7. An optical indicator for indicating the relation oi" two variablesV comprising a body supported rotatably about a xed axis of rotation, means for rotating said bodyY about said xed axis .by an angle responsive to one of said vari-` ables, means for producing a light beam and directing it along said axis of rotation, a mirror supported in said body and partaking in the rotation of said body intercepting said light beam and deecting it in a meridional plane of said body, mirror-supporting means mounted in said body and pertainingv inits rotation allowing said mirror to betilted about a tilt-axis perpendicular to said meridionalplane, said mirror-supporting means consisting of a resilient strip stretched diametrally in said body and perpendicularly to -said axis of rotation carrying at-its middle the said mirror, ajfulcrum located insaid body perpendicularly to said meridional plane and bearing against said resilient strip, means for tilting said mirror about said tilt-axis against the torsional moment of said resilient-strip by an angle responsive to the other of said two variables,

a screen intercepting said deflected light beam whereon a line representing the motion of saidv mirror-tilting means as a function of said bodyrotating means is traced. l Y

8.-An optical indicator for indicationg the relation of two .variables comprising a body supported rotatably about a xed axis of rotation, means for rotating said body about said xed axis by an angle responsive to one of said two variables, means for producing a ligh't'beam and directing it along said axis of. rotation,an axial opening in said body forming a passageway for said light' beainVa transverse opening in said body intersecting said axial opening. two parallel fulcrum edges located in said body perpendicularly to said axis of rotation and on opposite sides of said axis of rotation, a resilient strip extending across said vfulcrum edges, two mirrors carried -bysaid resilient strip one on j each end oi Vsaid -s'trip having their principal optical axes perpendicularfto said fulcrum .edges and capable of being' tilted vabout said fulcrum edges, optical means for directing 'said light beam on one of said' two mirrors and in succession to lthe other of said two mirrors and then through said transverse opening in .a plane parallel with said axis of rotation, means for tilting said two A mirrors about said fulcrum edges against'the bending moment of said resilient stripby an angle responsive to the, other of said-two variables. a screen intercepting said deected light beam whereon a line representing the motion of said mirror-tilting means as a function of said body-rotating means is traced.

KAIMANJOHN nn Jonasz. 

